What Sets Dry, Climate-Controlled, and Refrigerated Logistics Apart?

See How Logistics Operators Handle the Storage and Transport of Items That Must Be Kept at Low Temperatures;
Proper infrastructure and continuous monitoring are essential for the success of these operations.

William Toshio Ishikawa, Project and Pricing Manager at Mundial Logistics

By: SiiLA News

08/30/2024

The logistics sector is a cornerstone of the global economy, crucial not just in Brazil but around the world. The journey from production to customer delivery relies heavily on logistics operators who navigate daily challenges, including the distinct requirements for storing and transporting dry, climate-controlled, and refrigerated goods.

According to the Brazilian Association of Infrastructure and Basic Industries (Abdib), Brazil is expected to attract around R$ 124.3 billion in private-sector investments in transportation and logistics between 2022 and 2026. A portion of this investment is earmarked for adapting warehouses and developing solutions tailored to the various types of products handled by the sector. These adaptations are essential to accommodate clients who need to store and transport temperature-sensitive items.

In a vast country like Brazil, with its diverse climates, this challenge is amplified, as explained by industry experts consulted by SiiLA's REsource.

To streamline operations, logistics providers categorize products into three main types: dry, climate-controlled, and refrigerated logistics.

Dry logistics refers to the handling of industrialized, non-perishable products that are not prone to damage, do not require specific climatic conditions, and do not have strict transportation schedules.

Products in this category include non-perishable foods, construction materials, wood, hygiene and beauty products, plumbing supplies, and more.

Climate-controlled logistics, however, involves products that are sensitive to temperature and environmental factors, requiring thermal protection during both storage and transportation to ensure product quality. Typically, this involves maintaining environments with controlled temperatures between 15°C and 25°C.

Items in this category include fruits, meats, dairy products, and pharmaceuticals.

Refrigerated logistics focuses on the storage and transportation of products that need to be kept between 2°C and 8°C, or sometimes even lower, to preserve their quality and integrity.

Climate-controlled warehouse

“In warehouses, storage areas are equipped with industrial split-type air conditioning units. Additionally, it’s essential to homogenize the environment and distribution centers to prevent temperature fluctuations. For instance, we install booster fans to ensure the temperature remains unaffected by external conditions,” explains William Toshio Ishikawa, Pricing and Projects Manager at Mundial Logistics.

Ishikawa adds that maintaining constant monitoring of temperature and humidity is crucial, achieved through sensors controlled by specialized software.

Both climate-controlled and refrigerated logistics rely on these protective measures, with the primary difference being the temperature requirements of the environments.

Refrigerated warehouse

When products need to be transported, specific packaging is used to protect the goods. Insulating materials like Styrofoam containers and special gels ensure the safe transport of packages, protecting the items until they reach the customer, even over long distances.

“This gel, known as Ice Foam, is quite expensive, but it’s highly effective in preserving product quality,” Ishikawa notes.

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